Source: Fortune
Summary
Iran’s ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, announced that China and other friendly nations will receive “special considerations” when determining service fees for ships using the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait’s management is a contentious issue in negotiations for a permanent end to the conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel. Iran has effectively closed the strait since February, with traffic only recently picking up after an interim peace deal. The US and Gulf Arab countries oppose any charges for the waterway, while some European nations accept that ships will have to pay a fee.
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Iran’s ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, is offering China “special considerations” on service fees for ships using the Strait of Hormuz. China buys almost all of Iran’s oil exports and has called for the unhindered flow of shipping through the strait. The fees will be levied to guarantee safe passage and deal with environmental costs. The US and Gulf Arab countries oppose any charges, while some European nations accept that ships will have to pay a fee. Iran’s move is seen as a way to exert control over the critical waterway.
The announcement sounds like a bid for leverage in the ongoing conflict.
Author: Evan Null
